LEICESTER, England (AP) — Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri believes it will be "impossible" for his team to retain the English Premier League title, saying it's more likely that "ET comes to Piccadilly Circus."

The team from central England produced one of the greatest-ever underdog stories in sports by winning the league, at preseason odds of 5,000-1.

Speaking ahead of the first game of Leicester's title defense, Ranieri said Thursday the British bookmakers' odds on his team this season should be "6,000-1."

The Italian coach said "it's more difficult than last season. It's easier that ET comes to Piccadilly Circus," referring to the alien from the 1982 Hollywood movie.